Battle of St. Vith

The Battle of St. Vith was one of the stages of the German offensive during the Battle of Bulge, occurring from 16 to 21 December 1944. The 5th Panzer Army under Hasso von Manteuffel advanced on St. Vith, Belgium, hoping to capture the vital road junction and damage the Allied war effort. The US 7th Armored Division and US 424th Infantry Division defended St. Vith from the German attacks, and the German advance was slowed as the Americans held off numerous assaults. The Allies were ordered to evacuate St. Vith on 21 December 1944 when their position became untenable, and the Germans entered the wartorn town. However, the Allies had ruined the German plans, as the German timetable had called for the capture of St. Vith on 18 December, and the German offensive was significantly slowed down.